On 20 November 2013, the Government announced a five per cent increase in wages and salaries for public servants, retroactive to January 2013. The announcement was met with protests from the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and a number of demonstrations took place, the latest being on 9 December in front of the Office of the President. GPSU was demanding a 25 per cent increase but it later revised the figure downward to 15 per cent.
Timing of the proposed increase
Although the 2013 national budget, reflecting “Revision of Wages and Salaries”, was passed in April 2013, the Government has once again chosen to approve of an increase close to the festive season. This practice has been the pattern of the present Administration for a number of years. Under the previous Administration, the increases took effect as soon as the budget was approved. This was a logical approach and reflected good governance practice.
In a column I wrote last year on the granting of a five per cent increase, I referred to the Labour Minister’s statement that the
